The most gratifying ways to engage, network, collaborate, grow and learn within Chicago Wilderness Alliance is by becoming part of a team. We have many teams working toward shared goals as part of our Green Vision Initiatives to increase equitable access to nature, protect biodiversity and healthy water, and create climate resiliency.

Below are some of the teams that are actively seeking partners to join now:

Managing Healthy Landscapes

Learn about our effort to increase the amount of protected landscapes being managed for health by visiting the Managing Healthy Landscapes team site. Current teams working on this goal include: 

• Invasive Species Management
• Grassland/ Shrubland Birds
• Wildlife Species Management
• Oak Ecosystems
• Volunteer Stewardship
• Controlled Burning
• Urban Tree Canopy
• Climate Adaptation
• Ecological Data Management
• Priority Plants and Fungi
  

Growing with Agriculture

Learn more by visiting the Growing with Agriculture team site. The Ag Team meets virtually the second Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. during odd-numbered months. The Innovative Practices Team meets virtually on the second Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. on even-numbered months.

This goal group is also looking for farmers to partner with. If you are one, or know one, please introduce us! 

Prioritizing Green Infrastructure

There are three teams actively seeking partners to join their efforts. Learn more by visiting the Prioritizing Green Infrastructure team site. Current teams working on this goal include:

• Corporate/Industrial/Schools/University Campus focused partnership team
• Rights-of-Ways
• Municipalities and Residential

Protecting Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation 

There are three teams actively seeking partners to join their efforts. Learn more by visiting the Protecting Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation team site. Current teams working on this goal include:

• Rapid Response Team
• Conservation Strategy
• Watershed Conservation 

Increasing Equitable Access to Nature

This goal group is actively seeking partners with a variety of skill sets and expertise to join their efforts. Learn more by visiting the Increasing Equitable Access to Nature site.  

Taking Climate Action

The Taking Climate Action goal group is seeking partners to participate in their teams’ work to address climate impacts. Learn more by visiting the Taking Climate Action team site. Current teams working on this goal include:

• Adaptation
• Mitigation
• Climate Equity and Environmental Justice
• Community Awareness and Education
• Government Relations and Advocacy 

Protecting Healthy Water 

We’re looking to grow our Protecting Healthy Water team to meet our goals for 2030. Learn more by visiting the Protecting Healthy Water team site. New partners with various levels of experience are needed to lend their expertise across the Chicago Wilderness Alliance region. This team is actively seeking: 

• People with professional experience or knowledge of water systems in Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and rural Illinois
• People who have worked with community environmental groups on flooding issues
• Young professionals across all policy/conservation/scientific fields looking to get involved with solving our region’s water issues. 
  

Contact Laura Reilly, Managing Director, with questions or to learn more.